Foundations Framework – What children need from sport

You should: 

• be aware of safeguarding policies and procedures 
• know who the designated safeguarding lead is in your organisation 
• ensure the environment meets required safeguarding standards 
• have the right number of coaches to ensure safe practice 

You should create environments where a child can face and solve challenges. Challenges should consider a child’s: 

• development needs 
• past experiences 

You should: 

• get to know the children who are participating 
• support children when they face external challenges or struggle to join in 
• create environments where children feel safe to express their emotions 

You should: 

• be welcoming and empathetic to every child 
• understand and celebrate the uniqueness of each child and their families 
• make every child and their responsible adult feel like they belong 

You should: 

• take a consistent approach to behaviour 
• praise and mirror positive behaviour 
• encourage children to respect everyone and lose with dignity 

Children learn in different ways. Activities should be: 

• inclusive 
• accessible 
• suitable for all 

Watch our coaching videos about including participants. 

How to create an environment where everyone can take part and enjoy themselves:

How to include participants by adapting the way you coach:

How you can group participants by ability to ensure they have a good experience:

Creating sessions that target a specific group of participants:

You should: 

• encourage children to contribute to activities 
• make children feel comfortable about sharing their views 
• notice both verbal and non-verbal communication 

You should: 

• be an approachable and friendly coach or leader who creates great experiences 
• encourage children to return again and again 
• emphasise family engagement and the social side of sport 

Watch our coaching videos about being approachable and friendly.

How a coach can be approachable and friendly before a session:

How a coach can be approachable and friendly during a session:

How a coach can be approachable and friendly after a session:

You should: 

• avoid inactive periods or activities where children need to queue to wait their turn 
• control activity time using clear, concise instructions without shouting 
• make time for unstructured play and creativity 

You should: 

• provide praise, encouragement and positive reinforcement 
• focus on the process over the outcome 
• recognise a child’s hard work, intentions and creativity 
• provide activities that develop confidence, motivation and resilience 
• encourage children to try new activities and embrace new challenges 

Activities should be designed and delivered by qualified coaches, volunteers, leaders and teachers. As a deliverer, you should: 

• understand the importance of physical activity for children 
• provide meaningful, understandable feedback to children 
• ask questions to children to check they understand what you’re telling them 

You should: 

• ensure children can build fundamental movement skills through a range of different activities 
• plan programmes which allow for children’s development 
• know how transferable skills from different sports can benefit children 

Watch our coaching videos about the benefits of taking a multi-sport approach. 

Part 1 - The Benefits of using a multisport approach:

Part 2 - The Benefits of using a multisport approach:

You should: 

• encourage children to support each while they explore movement within an activity 
• be aware of the feelings, needs and risks of children while they develop their skills 

You should create environments and activities that: 

• allow plenty of time for children to be active 
• promote daily movement 
• emphasise the importance of regular physical activity 

Your activities should: 

• consider a child’s level of social, emotional, mental and physical development 
• challenge and support a child’s overall development 

Children develop at different rates. Your environments and activities should: 

• be based on the development needs of a child, not their age 
• provide a safe space where children can make mistakes and learn from them 

Watch our coaching videos about including participants. 

How to create an environment where everyone can take part and enjoy themselves:

How to include participants by adapting the way you coach:

How you can group participants by ability to ensure they have a good experience:

Creating sessions that target a specific group of participants:

You should: 

• provide activities in different environments with a range of equipment 
• involve children and their responsible adults in selecting activities 
• choose equipment that matches a child’s development and skill levels